Apparatus for separating



. R. vS. TOWNE AND F. B. FLINN.

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING ORE MATERIALS FROM EACH OTHER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPI. I2, 1914.

l ,4 l 0,78 1 Patented Mar. 28, 1922.

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JW., www I R. SPTOWNE AND F. B. FLINN.

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING ORE MATERIALS FROM EACH OTHER.

APPLICATION FILED sEPT.12, 1914. 1,410,781 Patented Mar. 28, 1922.

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R. S. TOWNE AND F. B. FLINN.

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING ORE MATERIALS FROM EACH OTHER. APPLICAUON FILED SEPT. 12. 1914.

1,410,781, Patented Mr.28,1922.

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ROBERTSAFFGBD TOXVNE. Ol NEW YORK, Ll'. Y., AND FREDERICK B. FLNN, 01"' ORANGE, NEVJ JERSEY, .ASSGNOR :BY MESNE .l-.SSG-NMENTS, TO PNEL IMATIC PROCESS FLOTAT-GN CUMPANY, OFlvNEW YORK, N; Y., .A CORIORAf TIGN 0F DELAWARE.

BLPPARATUS FDR SEPARATING ORE MA'ERIALS FROID/.i EACH ()'lI-IERA` Miara-i.

Tof/,ZZ ifi/wm t may concern Be it known that we, Ronnr fl. Towne and FREDERICK B.. F LINN, citizens 'ofl the United States, residing'at New lYork and Orange, in the counties of New York and Essex and. States of New York and New Jersey, have invented. certain new and useful improvements in Apparatus forfaeparat-y ing Ore lllaterials from Fach other, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to an apparatus for treating ores for the purpose of separating the metalliferous particles from the nonmetalliferous particlesV thereof.

ln the practice of the invention ay pulp is formed by .commingling the ore in its original conditionv with water in suitable proportions, and, generally, there is added. at one stage or another, a quantum of oil or equivalent material'for purposes now well known. A. column of `pulp is formed and the air is forced into the bottom part of this column, generally through a porous sep turnV or diaphragm adapted, under proper conditions of depth of column, pressure'of air and degree of permeability ofthe sep# tum, to form'the relatively large bubbles referred to. The pulp is delivered as a continuous supply to the column.l

In the case of some ores we have found that it is more advantageous to deliver the incoming pulp at horizontal planes which arehigh relatively to the planes of the porous septum, and in such cases the column may be of relatively lesserhorizontal dimensions. But in respect to other ores we have found that the pulp cangbe more advantageously delivered in suchway that it will be initially carried-*over a greater horizontal area while it is movingdownward. And, generally, in such cases,lit is better to feed the pulp mass 'to the column-in horizontal plane relatively near to the'porous septum, the latter being horizontally extendedv so that each of the metalliferous particles will be exposed to numerous columns of up-rising bubbles. And where the column is thus extended horizontally it is advantageous to deliver the incoming pulp from supply devices which are remote from the axis of the column, and in such way as to effect a Specification 0f eversetent- Patented Mar. 28, 1922.

Application filed September 12, 1914. Serial No. 861,432;

uniform ldistribution of the solid contents of the pulp over the horizontal area of the outer or peripheral parts of the column, as well as over the area at and adjacent to that axis, in contr'adistinction from a supply which is delivered along the aXis anfl is finally deflectedfrom the axis outward. As the column increasesthe dimensions of its cross horizontal areathere is increased resistance to the outward projection of the incoming pulp unless it is delivered under high pressure, which is not available under ordinary circumstances, and if used results disadvantageously iii-the forming of eddics or whirls of the water which interfere with the action of the air. At present we prefer to supply the incoming pulp by delivery devices which direct it radially inward from.

points outside of the column as an entirety.

Of ther drawings, Y

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing one form of mechanism embodying theinventiony y v Fig. 2 is a plan view of the mechanism shown inFig. 1; v

`Fig. 3 is a-'side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. l;

Fig. @is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 1 and showing a modified form of mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

' Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to ig. 1 but'showing a modied form of mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a detail plan view of the rotary distributor shown in Fig. 6;

' v Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is another fragmentary sectional view also similar to Fig. 1, but showing another modified form of mechanism.

Referring to the drawings,

1 represents the main tank or` receptacle which is preferably, though not necessarily, cylindrical in form. It may conveniently be constructed of sheet metal, though any other suitable material Vmay be used when preferred.

The tank is provided with a supplemental bottom or septum 2 which is formed of some suitable porous medium, such as silica sponge, earborundum, a plurality of perfo-- rated metal plates, sheets of canvas, etc. The porous bottom 2 is inclined radiall to cause the flow by ravity of material a ong it and, in the em odiment shown, the 1nclination is from the peri hery inward, thus giving the bottom a conical shape. At the center the porous bottom is provided with an opening 3, which communlcates with a pipe 4 controlled b` valve 5. The pipe 4 1s preferably a flexible hose and is provided at its end with a goose neck nozzle 4. The nozzle may be sup orted on an adjustable. standard such as at at 4" so that it can be moved to different elevations for a urpose to be hereinafter made clear.

referably the space beneath the porous bottom 2 is divided by cylindrical parti* tions such as 6 and 7 intoannular spaces 8, 9 and 10. With the spaces there are connected respectively valved pipes 11, 12 and 13 which communicate with a suitable source of air supply. l

14 represents a suitable initial receiver for the ore pulp. This can be located at any convenient place, and in the drawings it is shown as positioned directly above the main receptacle 1. The pulp is introduced into the ,receiver 14 in any suitable way, as, for instance, through the trough 15. From the receiver 14 the pulp vpasses .through pipes 16, 16 to seconda receivers 17, 17 arranged around the outsi e of the tank 1. In'the drawings we have show-n three of these secondary distributing receivers, but it will be understood that the number may be varied as foundnecessary or convenient. Each of the secondary receivers 17 hasr connected withit a plurality of (in this ease three) supply pipes 18, 18 which are connected with the main receptacle 1 throughv suitable apertures p19, 19 just above theporous bottom 2. These apertures are preferably spaced uniforml around the periphery.

It will be un erstood that the supply of pulp to the receptacle need not necessarily be through circu ar apertures such as those at 19, 19. In fact, it is in many cases preferably to provide circumferentially elongate slots through which the ore pulp can be delivered in the form of thin horizontal sheets. In Figure 4 we have shown a modified form of mechanism having supply slots 19a, 19* which communicate with a supply box 18a which extends entirely around .the receptacle. The `ulp can be .led to the box 18 in, any suita le way, as, for instance, through pipes 18, 18 corresponding to the supply pipes shown in Figures 1, -2 and 3. The ore enters throu h thegslots 19 in broad streams and the in w offore takes place around the inner circumference, except at the short places the slots. By means of this construction we'obtain a some-y what more uniform distribution of the ore over cro avea of the pulp ,body than is possible with the construction shown in Fi res l to 3.

cated around the outside of the upper part ofthe main rece tacle 1 is an annular bubble receiver 20. tris made in sections, preferably three in number, the bottom of each sectlon being 4inclined toward a discharge spout 21.

As the tank 1 may be of large diameter, we find it advisable to provide means for assisting the discharge of the bubbles from the central parts thereof. In the form of mechanism shown in Figures 1 to 3 there is provided a conical bubble distributor 22, the lower inclined surface of which engages the bubbles and forces them outward toward the periphery. Preferably there is also provided a tube 23 closed at its lower end which extends downward from the bottom of the cone 22 and occupies the space immediately above the discharge opening 3, at which, of course, no bubbles are introduced. Y

In Figures 6 to 8 we have shown another device for assisting the removal of the central bubbles, In this constructionl thecone 22 is omitted and instead there is provided a rotary bub le distributor or spreader 24 having radial blades-25, 25 adapted to enage the bubbles and push them outward. 'he distributor can be driven in any suitable way, as, Vfor instance, by the motor 26 throu h the gearing 27.

In igure.9 another device is shown to assist in removing the bubblesfrom the central parts of the receptacle. It comprises a supplemental central bubble receiver 28 whic connects with the main receiver by means of ,y inclined ipe 29. In using. the appara us, the ore, after beingirst. ulvermed (when pulverilzation is necessary f is formed into a suitable li uid pulp of which oihwhen necessary, ma ea constituent. Thisjpulp `is introduce in a stream into the mitial receiver 14, from 'which it flows through the pipes 16, 16 into the secondary distributors 17, 17; andrrfrom these secondary distributors it flows through the pipes 18, 18 and the apertures 19, 19 or 19, 19* into the receptacle 1 at the periphery thereof and close to the porous septum 2.

We have heretofore proposedg in work of this character, to feed the ore ulp into the receptacle along radial lines rom a single central distributin -er spraying device, and this method of fee ing hasbeensatisfactory for small receptachs. Y ut when larger receptacles are used so that theV horizontal cross areas arci wide, it is dil'cult, especially with the low headordinarily` available, to project the pulp from a 4 le distributor with such force as to reach a parts ofthe receptacle and Aeffect an approximately uniform'distribution. It is undesirable to attempt to effect the uniformity of distributionhgy increasing the head aslthiainvolves expense in installing pumps or long pipe lines, and the high head, even if readily available, would be objectionable because of the cross currents and eddies which would result from the too rapid injection of the pulp into` the main body. wle, therefore, provide means remote from the center whereby the ore pulp can be introduced at a number of points and horizontally distributed under low pressure. Preferably the introduction of' the ore takes place at the periphery ofthe receptacle and the ore is directed inward toward the center. When the ore is introduced through long slots, such as those at'19, 19a, the pulp assumes the form of a sheet'extending over substantially the entire cross area. yIt will be understood that while the peripheral location of the pulp supplying devices is preerred, our invention is not so limited` and other suitable locations can be used. And it will be furthermore understood that we do not mean to exclude the usein combination 1 with thenon-central feeding devices of other the porous bottom 2, and from these chambers the air passes through the porous bottom and into the pulp in the receptacle in the form of relatively large bubbles which are substantially uniformly distributed. The pulp introduced through the openings at 19, 19 tends to flow radially downward and inward under the action-of gravity. The ore, as it moves inward, is engaged by the upwardly moving air bubbles and the metalliiz'erous particles thereof are caught by the bubbles and carried upward. The ore, as it passes inward, is repeatedly acted upon by the bubbles, with the result that whenthe center is reached all of the metalliferous particles have been caught by the bubbles and removed. The gangue' passes outward through the opening at 3.

According to earlier processes and mechanisms devised by us, theore pulp is introduced at points considerably above the bottom plate or septum and is permitted to move downward by gravity in direct opposition to the upwardly .moving bubbles. le find, however, that for certain classes of work, especially when the receptacle is very large, it is preferable to feed the ore in such a way that it moves at approximately right .angles to the upwardly moving bubbles instead of vertically in the opposite direction. According to the earlier processes, the contact of each ore bubble vwith a number of bubbles was insured by its movement downward through a relatively deep pulp body and past ai large number of upwardly moving bubbles. With the process herein disclosed the contact of each ore particle with a eilicient'near the periphery where the pulp is richand'its flow is slow, and another rate of air supply being most eflicient near the center where the pulp .is nearly barren and its liow is more rapid.

t The level of the liquid in the tank 1 may be regulatedland controlled by means of the valve 5, or ybymeans of the pipe L1, Vthe' outer di'sch'argeend oi which :may be'raised or lowered as vfound necessary. i The bubbles carrying the metalliferous particlesin their ilms continue to move upward above the topI surface of the pulp and the successively emerging bubbles are carried upward by those'that follow, with the result that there is formed a bubble column extending to the top of the receptacle wall. At the top of the wall the'bubbles move radially outward under the inliuenceof gravity and are'discharged into the annular re# ceiver 20. In this receiverl many of the bubbles breakup, but `those 'which remain, and the liquid resulting from those which have burst, flow by gravity down the inclined bottom of the annular receiver and out through the spouts 21. As the receiver 20 is formed in sections, each with its own discharge spout, it can be relatively small.

In order to assist in the removal of the central hubbles special devices may be provided. One such device is a distributor cone 22 as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and another is a rotating spreader 24 shown in Figure 6. Another device for handling the central bubbles is the supplemental receiver shown in Figure 9. y

We do not herein specifically claim the rotating bubble distributor or spreader shown in Figure 6, as that is shown and claimed in our co-pendingl application Serial No. 861,433, filed on even date herewith.

What we claim is:

1. A frothing classiier comprising a tank having an overflow for froth, a downwardly converging permeable bottom, and means for delivering gaseous fluid to the tank through the converging permeable bottom.

2. A frothing classifier comprising a tank having an overflow for froth, a downwardly converging permeable bottom, and means for delivering gaseous fluid to the` tank through the converging bottom, said tank having a gangue outlet medially of said permeable bottom.

3. In an apparatus for separating the metalliferous from the non-metalliferousngredients of an ore mass, the combination of a puf-lp receptacle, a porous bottom for the receptacle inclined downward alon lines extending from the periphery t ereof, means for supplying air under pressure below the said porous bottom and forcing it therethrough to-form relatively large sub stantially luniformly distributed air bubbles, an initial reiver for the pulp,- a plurality of secondary receivers for the pulrameans for leadingv the pulp from the initial to the secondary receivers, a plurality of pipesl for leading the pulp from each of the secondary receivers to the inainrec'eptacle-at points spaced along the periphery of the latter, the said pulp owing vdownward and inward over the said bottom in the .directions of inclination and being acted bythe-said bubbles to' remove the metal iferou ingredientsthefrom, and means at the center of the bottom for collecting and discharging the resulting barren pulp the receptalcleat the center of the bottom. s v

4. In an apparatuslifor separating the metallierous from the noumetalliferons ingredients of an exemassin finely reduced or pulverulent condition, the combination of a pulp receptacle, a porous bottom for the receptacle inclined downwardlyy along lines extending from the periphery to the center thereof and formed of material having inely reduced -air passages adapted to permit the upward passage of air butto arrest water and the finest particles of pulverulent ore, means for supplying air under pressure below thesaid porous bottom and. forcing 4it therethrough to form relatively large substantially uniformly distributed airbubblest in strata rapidly succeedingeach other, each extending over the entire horizontalcross area of the pulp mass, said bottom beingv adapted to have theientering'air disiodge the fine particles of ore arrested thereby, means for supplying ore pulp to thereceptacle, the said pulp being acted upon by the said bubbles after ithey leave the surface of the bottom to remove tlm metalliferous ingredients from the Huid nlp, and means at; the center of the bottom collecting andtdiseharging the resultinggbarren pulp, saidvmeans being arrangodsubatantially aset forth to cause the down-flowingwater to` remove "from the inclined bottom the arrested pulp.

In testimony whereof, we ailixour signatures, in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT .SAFFORD TGWN E. FREDERICK B. FLINN. f Witnesses: 1

DAVID Soo'm, R. Surano. 

